HC Deb 14 February 1951 vol 484 cc378-9
11. Mr. Geoffrey Cooper

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what instructions are given to the United Kingdom representative under his terms of reference when the appointment is made which requires, along with his other duties, that he shall take any steps necessary to safeguard the interests of British nationals appointed through the agency of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Mr. Beswick

No such instructions are given. British nationals, in common with other nationals serving on the staff of the International Civil Aviation Organisation Secretariat, are appointed by that organisation under conditions prescribed by them and outside the direct control of His Majesty's Government.

Mr. Cooper

If I am able to produce evidence which tends to show that certain redundancies have been declared of British nationals, will my hon. Friend satisfy himself that the British representative on the I.C.A.O. is taking steps to see that justice and fair play prevail

Mr. Beswick

I will consider any evidence which my hon. Friend produces, but I think that it would be a novel and dangerous principle to suggest that the British representative has any special responsibility for British nationals employed as international civil servants.